Southampton v Hull City
Nov 9, 2013 at 3pm (UK)
St Mary’s Stadium
Hull City face a tricky test when they travel to St. Mary’s to face an in-form Southampton side on Saturday.
Southampton, currently sat sixth in the Premier League, have been very easy-on-the-eye so far this season and their flowing football has led them to five wins, four draws and one loss in their opening 10 games.
Hull, meanwhile, have picked up an impressive 14 points from a possible 30 in their opening 10 games and, after four wins, two draws and four losses, they are currently positioned 10th in the table. In their last Premier League game, Southampton drew 1-1 with Stoke after striker Jay Rodriguez’s 42nd minute goal cancelled out a bizarre opener from Potters’ goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the first minute of the match.
In their last game, Hull beat a struggling Sunderland team 1-0, thanks to a Carlos Cuellar own goal. In this tight match, Sunderland went down to nine men after both Lee Cattermole and Andrea Dossena were sent off in the first half as Hull maintained their unbeaten record at the KC Stadium.
Southampton also played Sunderland in a midweek Capital One Cup fixture. Manager Mauricio Pochettino made 11 changes from the side that drew with Stoke for this match and despite a late Maya Yoshida goal, the Saints lost 2-1 and were eliminated from the competition.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, Hull will be well aware that Southampton are yet to lose at home this season. St. Mary’s has become something of a fortress for the south coast team with the Saints winning their last four home games 2-0.
The Tigers haven’t been too convincing on their travels, however their first five away games have included trips to Everton, Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea, which are clearly very difficult fixtures. City have only won once on the road (a 3-2 victory over Newcastle United in September), so they will be desperate to pick something up on their visit to Southampton on Saturday.
Team News:
Southampton only have two injury concerns ahead of their match against Hull. Pochettino will certainly be without long-term absentee Guly do Prado (knee), however striker Pablo Osvaldo could return if he passes a late fitness test on a nerve problem. City manager Steve Bruce, however, has far more injury woes than his opposite number with Allan McGregor (thigh), Sone Aluko (calf/shin) and James Chester (hamstring) all out.
On a positive note, the Tigers could welcome Alex Bruce (groin) back to the side if he manages to pass a late fitness test.
Match Facts:
- Southampton have won four out of their last five league matches against Hull. Just four newly promoted teams have conceded fewer goals after 10 games than the Tigers have this season (10) in the Premiership.
- Hull haven’t beaten Southampton away from home in their last 12 visits to the south coast since 1951. In fact, they have only won three times since the First World War.
- The Saints haven’t conceded a goal at home since they drew 1-1 with Sunderland in August.
- Southampton and Hull have conceded a combined 14 goals in 20 games this season.
- Hull’s record of 14 points from 10 games this season is halfway between their first season in the Premier League (20 points) and their second (eight points).
Courtesy of Yahoo Sport
Possible Lineups:
Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse, Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert
Hull City: Harper; Rosenior, Figueroa, Davies, McShane; Huddlestone, Livermore, Elmohamady, Boyd, Meyler; Sagbo
Prediction:
Southampton have been outstanding at home this season and the history between these sides would suggest the Saints will win this one relatively easily. However, Hull have been very impressive on their return to the Premier League and they will want to give their fans something to cheer about when they make the long trip down to St. Mary’s on Saturday, so I am going to predict a draw. 1-1.